Detectives are continuing investigations after a body was discovered in a burnt out car at Burbage Common.

The police and fire crews were called to the beauty spot’s car park at around 6.20am on Monday March 5 after a passer-by made the grim discovery.

Police officers cordoned off the area and closed nearby roads.

Forensic teams carried out analysis of the scene before the vehicle, covered by a tarpaulin, was taken away at around 2pm.

Detectives are now appealing for information and any potential witnesses to come forward.

It is not known how long the vehicle had been there but initial CCTV enquiries show that a car entered the area, from Leicester Road, at around midnight.

The death is currently being treated as unexplained and detectives are working to establish the full circumstances surrounding the death.

Detective Inspector Helen Fletcher said: “It remains unclear as to why the vehicle came to be in this area and how long it had been there, but from initial enquiries we do know that a car entered the car park at around midnight.

“We are now asking anyone who was in the area during this time, and who may have any information to make contact.

“Did you drive by the area late (Sunday) night or early (Monday) morning? Or were you walking your dog in the area during the early hours? Did you see a fire in the area?

“Or did you see anything which you thought was unusual or out of the ordinary?

“If you have any information, please get in touch. While our enquiries continue and the full circumstances are yet to be determined, we ask people not to speculate about the circumstances surrounding the death.”

The car park has been cordoned off but Leicester Road remains open in both directions.

Anyone with any information is asked to call 101 quoting incident 76 of Monday.